Giles Express, The Auction

Giles Update....

As of Saturday, July 14, Gile's hematocrit is up to 35. That's normal for most dogs but it is still low for a greyhound. Even so, that is great news! I'm told his blood values continue to improve and, at the end of July, he will be heading to his new home with Nancy Hanrahan, a woman who specializes in adopting creaky, old boy dogs. That news makes me and many others very, very happy!

The Auction...

Thanks to Cyn's efforts, the Greyhound community knew that Gile's problems were not because of the racing community but because of an adopter, who dreadfully neglected him. Everyone on both sides of the greyhound racing controversy REFUSED to let anyone blame this on racing or to even discuss the "racing issue"...

"KEEP THE RACING ISSUE OUT OF THIS AUCTION......we are all joined to help this boy. You are pro racing.....anti racing.....this is NOT the place, BOTH sides have stopped what they're doing to step up and help a hound so please RESPECT THAT."

The emergency auction for Giles Express was held from July 5 to July 15. Items were donated from across the USA and also from places as far afield as Germany and Spain. Donated items included jewelry, stuffed toys, collars, books, stained glass, note cards, and other odds & ends. More than 200 items were donated and bid upon. There were even items donated AFTER the donation period had closed.

One thousand & twenty-five (1025) people attended the auction and four people, the 'Auction Team' aka 'Auction Ninjas', handled the auction (Facebook Names): Wayne Da Greyhound, Chai Huggable Hound, Jessica Worklan, and Arch E Beebuster. The 'Auction Team' is known for only doing auctions for Galgo Espanols, but they stepped up to the plate "to help in an area we are not really familiar with." As always, some people questioned the "names" and there are always the naysayers & troublemakers. To counter them, "Wayne D. Greyhound" responded....

"FACT: Your admins ARE REAL...

FACT: Giles needs our help....let's just ignore the troublemakers....report to FB.....do not respond to them, it's being handled..."

Giles & His Vet, courtesy of ARI

The people in attendance were from all over. There were people from Scandanavia (Sweden & Norway), people from Germany, and others from eastern European countries. Giles had friends in attendance from Germany and, of course, England. Friends from Australia and from Canada. Friends from all over the world! Most of his friends have greyhounds, but many did not. There were people with Saluki, Borzoi, Pharaoh Hounds, Chart Polski, German Shepherds and many other breeds & mutts. There were known & avowed animal rights actvists, as well as, known & avowed anti-animal rights activists. There were greyhound racing folks & dog show folks. Vets... vet techs... mechanics... etc...  All had two things in common...

helping Giles & helping those who were helping him.

As at least one person voiced, "I am sad that we need to do these fundraisers, but greytful (sic) to all those who are participating (donors, bidders and admins). It proves that any of us who love our 'fur kids' want to help out others in need."

The support was overwhelming; it was mind-blowing. I have to tell you that I stopped being able to afford anything after about 15 minutes AFTER the auction started. The compassion and the coming together to help is awe inspiring; it has touched many people. It just goes to show that when people set aside their political agenda that anything can be accomplished and that the dogs benefit. 

At the end of the auction, July 15, 

more than $14,000 had been bid on the auction items!

On July 17, it was divulged that the Grand Total bid was $14,644.00!

Break Down: $12,000.00 already sent, $1931.00 still owed, and $713.00 held and not yet sent.

Remember now who stepped up to help Giles....EVERYONE! From all walks of life....and from all over the world....not just the USA. Let's please remember that. 

Giles & Friend, Deanna - courtesy of ARI

About At Risk Intervention

At Risk Intervention (ARI) is not really a rescue group, not even a Greyhound rescue group. ARI is a "force multiplier and back up for frontline rescuers." They provide the infrastructure and resources to shelters and individuals who are determined to save lives.

As an example of what they do, when all this went down with Giles, ARI also took under their wing, Gulliver, the Shih-Tzu who was surrendered with him. The normal population of dogs at ARI is 12-15. When the call about Giles came in, they had 15 dogs. That week, other ARI activities included, but were not limited to...

• Health Certs for four (4) small dogs going to Canada 

• Intake of a Beagle mix and another Shih Tzu from Florida 

• Put the Beagle mix on a transport to Maine 

• Make arrangements for the FL Shih Tzu to go to Canada in August 

• Pay vet bills and send Giles into foster care 

• Get more health certs, 8 or 9 of them, for more dogs going to Maine 

• Health certs on two (2) Great Pyrs heading to New Jersey 

There were more health certs obtained, more dogs vetted, kenneling set up, more dogs taken in and sent out... and that's just for starters! While some of the destinations to which the dogs go, such as Canada & the Great Pyr group, many of the destinations to which the dogs were headed do not offer reimbursement. So, ARI covers those costs, as well as the costs for feed, water, Frontline, heart worm prevention and other kennel costs, which people sometimes forget about, such as electricity (air conditioning & lights), fence repair, water buckets, etc. They may not do direct to the public adoptions as the dogs they help go to adoption groups, losing the revenue from any adoption fees. ARI survives off of donations and fundraisers. In describing ARI, Cyn Mobley, ARI President, says, "We're not your first call --- but probably your last. We're there after groups have exhausted the normal resources and we're the ones who can usually say, "Yes, I will meet you at the Emergency Room." That's what ARI does.

ARI is a small, under $20,000 a year group. Their website is http://atriskintervention.org/. ARI suggests that if you have any questions and cannot find the info on their website to please "feel free to check with any Greyhound groups around". Their EIN is 26-188433 and their TN Charity Registration number is CO14323. Another place to check is with the Division of Charitable Services (I think that's what it's called) to see that they are a registered charity, exempt from solicitation permits because they are under $30,000 a year. To date, they have moved more than 450 dogs through the 'way station' and the 'maternity ward' in the past 3 years.

One of the driving forces behind ARI is their President, Cynthia Mobley aka Cyn Mobley. Cyn is an attorney and an avid lover of dogs. She has owned many greyhounds, several Airedales and a couple of all-American dogs aka mutts. She is also a USA Today bestselling author and a former officer in the US Navy.

If you wish to help At Risk Intervention, there is a DONATE button on their website. If you would like to send a check or money order, their mailing address is

At Risk Intervention

2000 Stock Creek Road

Knoxville, TN 37920

Donations are tax deductible.